Popular Latin Dance Forms

Feb 24
23:02

2020

Sandhya1030

Sandhya1030

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Latin Dances are one of the best dance forms. Few forms are very sensual and considered as one of the romantic things to do for the couple. It requires high coordination.

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 "The job of feet are walking,Popular Latin Dance Forms Articles but their hobby is dancing”

 Dancing is one of the greatest art forms prevalent today. There is no one who would not want to step to the grace of the tune.

One’s passion for dance can range from the free time hobby to life dedicating career worship. It can be anything in between too.

Well, a lot of dance styles are present- Freestyle, eastern, western, Latin, Hip-hop, Folk, etc. Latin dance forms are one among the most tried out, the one with the greatest number of fans and followers in the world.

Latin dances are one of the intimate dance forms. It is one of the romantic things to do for the Couple. It brings in together the chemistry between a pair and the speediness of the form.

The dance forms mainly focus on sharp and fast movements, and bring out the spice in the most delicate way!

There are different types of dance forms in the Latin dance style. If you are a dance enthusiast, here’s an account of the different Latin dance styles.

 

  1. Salsa

Salsa has its origins from Cuban and African forms. The musical influences were pretty much relevant from the Spanish too.

When Americans found out the from in Cuba, they took these dance forms back to their land being mesmerized by the music and the interesting movements.

Salsa, known as the partner dance can be modified into single variants or with those that exchange partners while dancing in circles.

The basic steps of Salsa are pretty much a three-step weight exchange movement involving feet. One would exchange weight with the other foot and then have a break or kick and then again the same continues with the other foot.

Arms are used by the lead dancer to lead the other dancer who is a follower. There are different dance styles for Salsa. Casino, Miami Style, Cali style, Venezuelan style.

The differences between each of them would be in hand wok, leg work, shoulders, spins etc.   

Shoes with heels are used for salsa by ladies. Beginners are advised to use heels of 2.5” or lower. Dresses that are knee-length or shorter are used.

There are a lot of courses and performers all around the world, waiting to teach you the basics of salsa. Learning salsa can help you dance on any of the occasions.

  1. Cha Cha Cha

Cha Cha Cha is a Cuban origin Street dance form which is between pairs, danced to the tunes of clear, energetic and a steady beat.

One beat cycle has 4 counts. The basic pattern involves the lead dancer to take the forward step with the left foot, with weight on the right foot. The form also involves a lot of hip movements.

Dancers usually wear a dress with ruffles and bright colors. They wear the same color high heels to match with the dress.

  1. Mambo

Mambo is a Cuban origin dance form which is much faster and less rigid than the normal ballroom dancing. The early days never had a clear cut distinction between salsa and mambo. They appeared to have much common in them.

The club-style for both of them defines salsa to have the chance to dance to any beat, whereas, in mambo, the break step is taken on the second beat of the measure.

So, salsa has all the parts confined to mambo. Ballroom classics do have very large differences between the styles.

Mambo counts are regular as 2, 3, 4, 1. One dances only on 2, 3, 4 and a pause is maintained on the 4. The forward and backward steps are the basics of mambo. Men take forward steps and female take the backward steps.

Using small steps of fast music as you will have small chances of going out of sync when doing so. Pause on the count 1 is really important not to go out of the beat.

Also, the hip action must be reflected from the weight exchange.

  1. Merengue

Like the other Latin dance forms, Merengue has the pair dancing to the tunes for Dominican music. The lead holds the follower's right hand with his left hand and holds the follower’s waist.

Both the leader and the follower are supposed to move the hips together in the same direction throughout the song. It is a two-beat marching step.

The dress code for merengue is more colourful, tight and revealing to show the flexibility of the dancers and to show off the crispiness of the dance movements. Women use dresses that are bright and flowing in nature.

Men wear shirts that match the girl’s dress tucked into the slack. Shoes must be as smooth as possible so as to allow fast steps.

  1. Bachata

Bachata is a dance form that was developed from the Dominican Republic. The Spanish word means “ partying, noisy revelry”. This pair dance has been one of the favourites all over the world.

Bachata has the basic three-step Cuban hip hop dance movement, with a tap and hip movement on the 4th beat. 

Few people do opinionated that Bachata is more intimate that salsa and pretty much slower than salsa music. So, Bachata is said to be easier to learn than salsa. Dancers wear shimmering and glittering dresses that are body fit with no flowing fabric. 

Any of the dance forms, especially in Latin forms would require a high amount of precision and flexibility. The dancers will be given special exercise routines to help them be moulded into the shape for the performance.

It trains your brain and body in different perspectives. Special costumes and makeups for each form differ even though all of the forms are relatable to each other or each one has descending behaviour from the other.

Everyone dances for the pleasure of forgetting everything and move

 to the tune of the music.

“If you hit a wall, climb over it, crawl over it and dance on top of it”